Crystal Keyamo
When you think of children’s music, you might imagine simple, repetitive tunes that are easy for kids to sing along with but often difficult for adults to endure. But for Mr. Super Dude, the creator behind some of the freshest and most energetic music in the kindie (kids’ indie) genre, this perception is ready to be turned on its head.
Formerly known as Brockway Biggs, an award-winning artist with a background in rap, Mr. Super Dude brings a unique fusion of musical styles, engaging both children and adults alike with his energetic beats and clever lyrics. His musical journey has been anything but typical, with his creative output evolving from his hip-hop roots to family-friendly anthems that are both catchy and thoughtful.
Mr. Super Dude’s shift from hip-hop to children’s music was a natural progression, one that came about after he became a parent. “After becoming a parent, the transition to Mr. Super Dude felt natural,” he shared, “my songs aim to replicate the fun and infectious sound I grew to enjoy performing”. His background as a performer – both on stage and in the studio – has shaped his music into something that transcends the traditional limitations of children’s music. He added, “traditional children’s songs can be a bit boring, so I sought to replicate the elements from my live shows that resonated well with adults, while also keeping it at a level that children could enjoy.”
His experience performing at festivals, sold-out shows, and family-oriented events before adopting the Mr. Super Dude moniker helped him understand the importance of keeping kids engaged without sacrificing quality or fun. “I would typically include props and dance moves to keep the crowd entertained, which translates well to the kindie scene,” he explained.
What truly sets Mr. Super Dude apart is his collaboration with his brother Colin, also known as KinderChartin’. Together, they create a sound that blends modern production with timeless appeal. Colin, a seasoned music engineer with over 20 years of experience, has worked with renowned artists like Our Lady Peace and Bob Rock. “My focus is always making the listener feel something or draw up feelings they might not know they had within,” Colin explained, “a good song is universal, and kids often respond to songs grown-ups like too, but they might not always be appropriate. A fun beat, big sounding drums, little instrumental hooks, and ear candy are things you remember no matter your age.”
Their shared passion for music is what drives their creative process. While Mr. Super Dude’s lyrical focus remains simple and ear-catching, Colin brings his extensive experience in moodier music and rock to create beats that appeal to both children and adults. This collaboration has led to a sound that challenges the norms of traditional children’s music.
The response from parents has been overwhelmingly positive. As Mr. Super Dude pointed out, “the life of a parent these days is quite busy, and unfortunately, staying up-to-speed on the latest music can become a challenge. While there is some amazing kindie music out there, discovering those artists is rarely the priority of a parent.” His goal with his music has always been to bridge the gap between traditional children’s music and the more mainstream tunes parents often gravitate toward.
“The goal with my music was to bridge that gap,” he said, noting that many parents have transitioned their children from old-school children’s music to songs on the radio, not always appropriate for young ears. The result? His music offers a happy medium, one that both kids and parents can enjoy together. “Introducing parents to our music has gone well so far,” he added.
One of the most exciting things about Mr. Super Dude’s music is its ability to challenge perceptions of children’s entertainment. He recalls a conversation with New Zealand’s Fleabite, whose song “Do the Woopsie” inspired him. “There is enough well-intentioned but boring music out there,” Fleabite told him, “be weird and interesting!” This advice stuck with Mr. Super Dude, who now strives to create music that is not only fun but also unique.
He added, “The perception of children’s music is typically a mix of boring, simple, or cheesy. We are definitely trying to break that perception. Our music aims to be upbeat, fun, witty, and entertaining. Typical children’s songs can be repetitive, so one thing we’ve done to break the monotony is to incorporate a bridge in our songs.”
“I was heavily involved in the Canadian hip-hop scene under the moniker Brockway Biggs,” he shared, “I toured 6 times, played 144 live shows, and collaborated with Juno nominees.” His dedication to creating a distinct sound has paid off, with Mr. Super Dude’s music standing out in the kindie world as something special.
Alongside his transition to kindie, he has drawn inspiration from artists like Beppie, Koo Koo, Fyutch, Mega Ran, and Jeremy & Jazzy, who are also reshaping the genre. “There are some amazing kindie artists out there who are breaking the traditional sound of children’s songs,” Mr. Super Dude said, “I feel fortunate that tastemakers have said our music stands out as enjoyable and unique.”
Despite the challenges that come with creating music for a demographic as specific as children, Mr. Super Dude finds joy in the process. “The goal with Mr Super Dude music is to have fun, to encourage kids to shake their caboose and keep their thumbs up”.
As for the future, Mr. Super Dude is excited about continuing to create music that is fun, unique, and accessible for all ages. “I can definitely see myself continuing in this genre,” he said, “I like finding creative ways to have fun and connect with like-minded individuals, whether they are adults or kids.” He recognizes the challenges of exposure, particularly in a genre where the target audience often lacks social media profiles or control over what they listen to. But he remains optimistic, hoping to grow his network of like-minded teachers and parents to help spread the word.
